Question

How does the philosophy expressed in the quote differ from the philosophy of Legalism? How is

it similar? Your answer should include
(a) what Legalism has in common with the quote,
(b) what Legalists would believe about filling the bellies of people, and
(c) the Legalist view of when people would serve the interests of a ruler.

Answer 1

(a) What Legalism has in common with the quote:

Both the quote and Legalism recognize the importance of governance and the role of the ruler in maintaining order in society. They acknowledge the need for effective leadership and the implementation of rules and regulations to ensure social stability.

(b) What Legalists would believe about filling the bellies of people:

Legalists would believe that it is essential for the ruler to ensure the material well-being of the people by providing for their basic needs, such as food and shelter. They would emphasize the importance of a strong and prosperous state, and filling the bellies of the people would be seen as a means of maintaining social harmony and loyalty towards the ruler.

(c) The Legalist view of when people would serve the interests of a ruler:

According to Legalism, people would serve the interests of a ruler when they are motivated by strict laws, harsh punishments, and rewards. Legalists believe that individuals are primarily driven by self-interest and will only act in the ruler's interest when they perceive personal benefits or fear severe consequences. Legalists advocate for a strong centralized government with strict control and enforcement of laws to ensure obedience.

Differences between the quote and Legalism:

The quote seems to emphasize the importance of fulfilling the people's needs and promoting their well-being as a means of achieving good governance. In contrast, Legalism focuses more on the ruler's authority and the use of strict laws, penalties, and rewards to control the behavior of individuals. Legalism prioritizes centralized power and the enforcement of regulations, while the quote emphasizes a more compassionate and nurturing approach to governance.

Overall, while the quote and Legalism share a recognition of the importance of governance and leadership, they differ in their approach to achieving social harmony and the role of compassion and nurturing in governance.

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Answer 2

(a) Commonality with the Quote: Legalism and the quote share a common aspect in that they both recognize the role of self-interest and motivation in human behavior. The quote suggests that people can be won over through fulfilling their basic needs, while Legalism emphasizes that people will serve the interests of a ruler when it aligns with their self-interest, often driven by the avoidance of punishment.

(b) Legalist View on Filling the Bellies of People: Legalists would agree with the idea of satisfying basic needs but not for benevolent reasons. Legalists might argue that, to control and maintain the loyalty of the population, the ruler should ensure that people's basic needs, such as food and security, are met. This would be done not out of altruism but as a means to control and manipulate the people.

(c) Legalist View on Serving the Interests of a Ruler: Legalists believed that people would serve the interests of a ruler when they feared punishment or when their actions aligned with their self-interest, such as gaining rewards or avoiding negative consequences. Legalists were skeptical of the inherent goodness of people and believed in using a system of strict laws and punishments to maintain order and secure loyalty.

In summary, the philosophy expressed in the quote is more of a general observation about human behavior, while Legalism is a specific political and philosophical ideology focused on using strict governance, law, and punishment to control the population and maintain the ruler's power. While both recognize the role of self-interest in human behavior, their underlying purposes and approaches differ significantly.